なりに / なりの

suitable, in one's own way, style, of someone's own, do one's best in one's own way, as much as one can

AI-generated

Structure

[noun] + なりに + [verb] [noun] + なりの + [noun] [na-adj] + なりに [i-adj] + なりに [verb (plain)] + なりに

Description

なりに means "in one's own way", "as far as one's position allows"; なりの does the same job in front of a noun. Both follow a noun directly – very often a person, as in わたくし私なりに or こども子供なりの.

、。

After thinking it over in my own way, I decided to change jobs.

、。

He's doing his best in his own way, so don't blame him too much.

。

There must be a reason that makes sense from a child's perspective.

The noun names a limit – a child, an amateur, someone new – and the sentence says that within that limit the effort or the result is fair. The pattern defends or accepts; it doesn't belittle.

。

I did my very best, even as an amateur.

× 私のなりに → 私なりに

After an adjective or a verb

After an adjective or a plain-form verb, なりに means "for all that it's X, in a way that fits X". A な-adjective takes it directly.

、。

Even though I'm busy, each day feels fulfilling in its own way.

。

We live happily in our own way, even though we're poor.

。

Even though I'm not good at it, I tried singing a song in my own way.

、。

He didn't really understand it himself, but he explained it as best he could.

Usage notes

These go beyond a person + なりに.

それなりに

and mean "reasonably", "to the degree you would expect".

、。

It's a cheap place, but the food is reasonably good.

。

There's a reason it's expensive.

X は X なりに

Repeating the person stresses that they have their own side of things too.

。

That person is struggling in their own way.

Examples

、。

I made an effort in my own way, but it didn't produce results.

。

I think she has her own kind of kindness.

。

The child thought about it as hard as they could in their own way.

。

Even though I'm inexperienced, I'll do my very best.

。

There are advantages that come with being a small company.

、。

Even though I'm busy, I try to spend weekends with my family in my own way.

。

Even though I'm not good at it, I tried singing a song in my own way.

。

That person is struggling in their own way.

。

Please allow me to share my opinion as a layperson.

。

They were living a happy life in their own way, despite being poor.

。

I want to solve this problem in my own way.

、。

Young as he is, he has well-grounded views of his own.

References

なりにBunpro

なり～なり

なんという / なんと / なんて